Empowering Passionate Disciples Equipping people to passionately Live like Jesus lived, Do what Jesus did, and Advance His kingdom together.

1 Peter 2:13-17 Pt. 2 The Significance of Spiritual Authority

Preview Preview When spiritual authority is truly understood and applied in life it… liberates vs. restricts, liberates vs. restricts, promotes creativity vs. conformity, promotes creativity vs. conformity, brings dependence on God vs. man, brings dependence on God vs. man, produces servanthood vs. servility, produces servanthood vs. servility, results in confidence vs. insecurity, results in confidence vs. insecurity, and releases God’s authority and power in our lives. and releases God’s authority and power in our lives.

Significance of Spiritual Authority A Roman Military Officer... Matthew 8:5-13 (NLT)When Jesus arrived in Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, 6 “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and racked with pain.” 7 Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”8 Then the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed!

Significance of Spiritual Authority A Roman Military Officer... Matthew 8:5-13 (NLT) 9 I know, because I am under the authority of my superior officers and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this or that,’ they do it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all the land of Israel!

Significance of Spiritual Authority A Roman Military Officer... Matthew 8:5-13 (NLT) 11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be cast into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Significance of Spiritual Authority A Roman Military Officer... Matthew 8:5-13 (NLT) 13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go on home. What you have believed has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.

Foundations to Spiritual Authority God is Ultimate Authority Daniel 4:34-35 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”

Foundations to Spiritual Authority God is Ultimate Authority 1 Samuel 15:23 (NKJV) For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the L ORD, He also has rejected you from being king.”

Foundations to Spiritual Authority God’s Kingdom…Authority Based Isaiah 14:12–14 (NLT) “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. 13 For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. 14 I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’

Foundations to Spiritual Authority Relationship with God…Authority Based Romans 1:5 Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 1 John 2:3-4 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

Foundations to Spiritual Authority God’s Authority…Extended to Humans For Order & Protection Romans 13:1-2 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

Foundations to Spiritual Authority God’s Authority…Extended to Humans For Order & Protection Church leadersHebrews 13:17+ Church leadersHebrews 13:17+ HusbandsEphesians 5+ HusbandsEphesians 5+ ParentsEphesians 6+ ParentsEphesians 6+ Civil Leaders1 Peter 2+ Civil Leaders1 Peter 2+ EmploymentEphesians 6+ EmploymentEphesians 6+

Foundations to Spiritual Authority God’s Authority…Extended to Humans It’s an issue of function NOT essence/value 1 Corinthians 11:3 (NASB)But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.

Significance of Spiritual Authority Jesus lived in the context of authority... John 5:30 (NLT) But I do nothing without consulting the Father. I judge as I am told. And my judgment is absolutely just, because it is according to the will of God who sent me; it is not merely my own. John 7:16 (NLT) So Jesus told them, “I’m not teaching my own ideas, but those of God who sent me.

Significance of Spiritual Authority Jesus lived in the context of authority... Matthew 22:17–21 (NLT) Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, 20 he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

Responsibilities to Spiritual Authority When Under Authority Miriam & Aaron Num. 12:1-14

Responsibilities to Spiritual Authority When Under Authority Korah, Dathan, & Abiram Num. 16:1-4, 8-14, 23-35, 41-49

Responsibilities to Spiritual Authority When Under Authority Rebellion is a most serious and dangerous base of operations, or fortress for the enemy to have in our lives. Rebellion is a most serious and dangerous base of operations, or fortress for the enemy to have in our lives. It is the foundation to Satan’s kingdom. It is the foundation to Satan’s kingdom. You enter into Satan’s realm or world of activity through rebellion. You enter into Satan’s realm or world of activity through rebellion. You become a subject for Satan to have very strong and destructive influence in your life. You become a subject for Satan to have very strong and destructive influence in your life.

Responsibilities to Spiritual Authority When In Authority MosesNumbers 20:1-12

Responsibilities to Spiritual Authority When In Authority Delegated authority has the supreme responsibility to represent God, His character, His truth, His values, and His ways. Delegated authority must seek God’s mind and will, then communicate and lead accordingly. A leader that leads according to his or her own desires or benefit is in rebellion toward God, just like those who will not submit to authority in their lives, and they open themselves up to Satan’s influence in their lives through his base of operations or stronghold.

Empowering Passionate Disciples Equipping people to passionately Live like Jesus lived, Do what Jesus did, and Advance His kingdom together.